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How Anua Unlocked 5X AOV Growth with iCart’s Smart Cart Features

delivery customization Challenges Solutions drive results Scale business delivery customization Challenges Solutions drive results Scale business delivery customization Challenges Solutions drive results Scale business delivery customization Challenges Solutions drive results Scale business Anua is a globally recognized Korean skincare brand known for its minimalist philosophy and focus on gentle yet effective formulations. Built on the idea of simplifying skincare routines, Anua develops products that deliver visible results while avoiding harsh or irritating components, making them suitable for sensitive skin types. Initially using a traditional full cart experience, Anua transitioned to iCart’s side cart solution in August 2025, to create a more seamless and engaging shopping journey. This shift allowed customers to easily explore complementary skincare products without disrupting their browsing flow, making it more intuitive to discover items that fit into a complete routine. By surfacing relevant recommendations directly within the cart, the brand enhanced product visibility across its range. Challenges Before implementing iCart’s side cart solution, Anua faced limitations with their existing full cart experience, which created friction in the customer journey. The traditional cart setup redirected users away from product pages, interrupting their browsing flow and reducing opportunities to explore additional products. As a skincare brand built around routines rather than single-item purchases, this made it difficult to effectively showcase complementary products and encourage customers to build complete regimens. Additionally, the lack of in-cart personalization and strategic upsell opportunities meant that customers were often unaware of related products that could enhance their skincare results. This limited the brand’s ability to increase average order value (AOV) and fully leverage its diverse product range. Anua needed a more dynamic and intuitive cart experience that could seamlessly introduce relevant recommendations while maintaining a smooth and engaging shopping journey. ❌ Cart Value Barriers Low average order value (AOV) due to single-item focus Most customers completed purchases with one primary product instead of building multi-step routines. Cart abandonment near shipping thresholds Customers were not clearly informed or motivated to reach free shipping or discount thresholds. Missed savings opportunities Customers were unaware of potential value in purchasing bundled routines or multiple complementary products. ❌ Absence of Progress-Based Incentives No free shipping or discount progress bar Customers were not motivated to increase their cart value due to lack of visible incentives. Missing tiered rewards system There were no structured milestones (e.g., “Spend more to unlock offers”), reducing upsell opportunities. ❌ Ineffective Cart UI/UX (Pre-Side Cart) Full-page cart disrupted shopping flowCustomers had to leave their browsing journey, increasing friction and drop-offs. No quick add/remove functionality Users couldn’t easily modify their cart or add suggested products without navigating away. Solution To overcome these challenges, Anua implemented iCart’s side cart solution to transform their traditional cart into a high-converting, interactive experience. By replacing the full-page cart with a seamless side cart, the brand ensured that customers could continue browsing while viewing their cart, significantly reducing friction in the shopping journey. Additionally, features like product recommendations & progress bars for free shipping and discounts motivated customers to increase their cart value. By combining personalization, incentive-driven messaging, and a user-friendly interface, Anua successfully turned their cart into a powerful revenue-driving touchpoint rather than just a checkout step. To maximize their cart effectiveness, they implemented two powerful features: ✅ Progress Bar with Multi-Reward Incentives Implemented a tiered progress bar to encourage higher cart value Customers are guided with a clear message like “Add $3.10 to unlock secret offer,” motivating them to continue adding products. Generated over $5M+ in revenue through incentive-driven cart progression Used product-based rewards to align with customer intent Instead of generic discounts, Anua incentivized purchases with relevant skincare items like Dark Spot Pads and mini serums. Built visual motivation for routine expansion As customers add products, they can clearly track progress toward unlocking multiple rewards, encouraging them to build a complete skincare routine. ✅ Product Recommendations Implemented “Frequently Bought Together” recommendations Customers adding a single product (e.g., toner) are shown complementary items like serums, moisturizers, or pads to complete their routine. Generated over 275K revenue through in-cart recommendations Encouraged full skincare regimen building Instead of isolated purchases, the cart suggests step-by-step product combinations aligned with common skincare routines. Increased product discovery at the final stage By surfacing relevant items directly in the cart, Anua ensured customers explore more of their catalog without leaving the checkout flow. Results Achieved in Last 180 Days 22932 Total Store Orders 45101 Total iCart Orders 5X iCart Generated AOV 65.70% Upsell Affected Conversion Rate These improvements reflect a clear shift in customer behavior on Anua’s store. Cart abandonment reduced as shoppers discovered complementary skincare products and felt encouraged to build complete routines. Engagement also increased, with customers interacting more with in-cart recommendations and exploring relevant product pairings. Results & Impact And...Results is Our Main Clarification By implementing iCart’s cart drawer, product recommendations, and progress bar, Anua transformed its cart into a high-performing conversion touchpoint. Shopping Experience Enhancement The improved cart experience encouraged customers to discover complementary products and understand the value of sustainable beauty routines. For instance, the clear presentation of subscription savings alongside one-time purchase options helped customers make more informed decisions about their long-term hair care needs. As Anua continues to optimize its cart experience, the brand is closely monitoring: Routine-based purchasing behavior - tracking how customers move from single items to multi-step regimens Engagement with in-cart recommendations - measuring interaction with suggested products Cart value progression - analyzing how incentives influence higher spending [related_cases_slider] Ready to Write Your Success Story? Try icart App Join successful businesses like Anua and Master your delivery scheduling Delight customers with precise timing Grow your special occasion orders Expand your delivery reach

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5 Min • 31 March 2026

Shopify Recommended Products: Manual vs Automatic – Which Works Better?

Every product page on your Shopify store is a selling opportunity and what you place in the "Recommended Products" section can make or break that moment. Done right, product recommendations keep shoppers engaged, increase average order value, and turn browsers into buyers. Done wrong, they feel random, irrelevant, and send customers straight to the exit. Shopify gives store owners two ways to handle this: let the algorithm decide automatically, or take full control with manual curation. Both approaches have their place but knowing which one to use, and when, is what separates stores that consistently upsell from those that leave revenue on the table. In this guide, we break down exactly how manual and automatic recommended products work on Shopify, the real-world pros and cons of each, and how to choose the right strategy for your store's goals. What Are Shopify Recommended Products? Picture this: A shopper lands on your product page looking for a pair of running shoes. They're ready to buy but you only show them that one pair. No related items, no complementary accessories, no "others also loved" suggestions. They buy (if you're lucky), and then they leave. Now imagine showing them matching running socks, an insole upgrade, or the trail version of the same shoe. Suddenly, a $79 order becomes a $140 order. That's exactly what Shopify recommended products do, they surface the right products to the right shopper at the right moment. In simple terms, Shopify recommended products are product suggestions displayed on your store typically on product pages, the cart page, or checkout designed to encourage shoppers to discover more of what you sell. Why Shopify Product Recommendations Actually Matter Most Shopify merchants obsess over traffic, more clicks, more ads, better SEO. And that's valid. But there's a more immediate revenue lever sitting right inside your store that most merchants completely underestimate. Beyond revenue, smart recommendations also: Reduce bounce rates by keeping shoppers engaged on your site Improve product discovery for items buried deep in your catalog Build a personalized shopping experience that earns loyalty Lower the cost-per-conversion from your paid traffic Manual Recommendations Manual product recommendations are exactly what they sound like: you decide which products get suggested alongside which other products. In Shopify's native editor, this means going into each product and handpicking what appears in the "Related Products" section. How Manual Recommendations Work in Shopify Go to your Shopify Admin > Products Open any product you want to configure. Scroll to the bottom of the product page to find the "Product recommendations" or "Related products" section (availability depends on your theme). Manually select related products Use Shopify's native search to pick and pin specific products. In some themes you may need to edit the theme's code or use metafields to hard-code product associations. Repeat for every product Review and update periodically Seasons change, products go out of stock, new arrivals come in. Manual setups need ongoing human maintenance to stay relevant. Automatic Recommendations Automatic Shopify product recommendations use algorithms and increasingly, AI to analyze shopper behavior and surface products that are most likely to convert. Shopify's native recommendation engine uses the "Recommendation Intent API," which pulls from purchase data, browsing patterns, and product metadata to generate suggestions automatically. Many Shopify product recommendation apps go even further, using machine learning to personalize suggestions for each individual shopper in real time. How Automatic Recommendations Work Shopify's built-in algorithm considers several signals to decide what to recommend: Purchase history: Products frequently bought together. Browsing behavior: Items often viewed in the same session. Product metadata: Shared tags, collections, and product type. Inventory availability: Only in-stock items (in most cases). Global trends: What's converting across similar stores (in some third-party apps). Manual vs. Automatic: Side-by-Side Comparison Here's everything in one place so you can make an informed decision for your specific store: FactorManualAutomaticSetup timeHigh - requires per-product configurationLow - works out of the boxCatalog size suitabilityBest for small catalogs (under 50 SKUs)Best for medium to large catalogsData requirementNone - works on Day 1Needs traffic/purchase history to be accuratePersonalization✗ Same for every shopper✓ Can be individualized per visitorMargin control✓ Full control over what you promote✗ Algorithm prioritizes conversions, not marginsSeasonal merchandisingScalability✓ Easy to adjust strategically✗ Very hard to scale with large catalogs~ Possible with advanced apps, not natively✓ Scales effortlesslyBrand control✓ Full editorial control~ Dependent on app/filter rules Tips to Maximize Revenue from Shopify Product Recommendations 1. Recommend the Right Things Showing 8 recommendations on a product page feels like noise, not help. Stick to 4-6 highly relevant suggestions. Fewer, stronger recommendations outperform long generic lists every time. 2. Placement Matters The cart page is one of the highest-converting spots for recommendations because the shopper is already in buying mode. Product page recommendations work best below the fold, if they're competing with your main CTA above the fold, they're hurting your primary conversion. If you want to show recommendations on cart page, you can make use of Shopify apps like iCart. 3. Use Social Proof in Your Recommendation Widgets Adding star ratings, review counts, or "Bestseller" badges to your recommended products dramatically increases click-through rates. A product sitting at ★4.8 with 340 reviews sells itself even in a recommendation widget. Most good Shopify product recommendation apps support this natively. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the difference between manual and automatic product recommendations? Manual recommendations are curated by store owners, while automatic recommendations are generated by algorithms using customer data, purchase history, and behavior patterns. 2. Do automatic recommendations increase sales more than manual ones? In many cases, automatic recommendations perform better because they adapt to user behavior in real time. However, manual recommendations can outperform them in targeted campaigns or curated collections. 3. Are Shopify’s built-in recommendations enough? Shopify provides basic automatic recommendations, but advanced personalization often requires third-party apps for better targeting, analytics, and customization.

8 Min • 10 April 2026

Order Bump vs Upsell for Shopify: Which Converts Better?

Understanding order bump vs upsell is important because both can increase AOV, but they work in different ways. An order bump is a small, low-risk add-on shown close to checkout, while an upsell encourages the customer to choose a better, bigger, or higher-value option at different stages of the buying journey. Order bumps are usually easier to test first, while upsells tend to work better once you have clearer product data and stronger buying patterns. Most Shopify store owners put all their energy into getting the first sale. But they miss one thing… Simple ways to increase AOV once a shopper is already ready to buy. That is where the difference between order bump vs upsell becomes an important decision. I have worked with Shopify stores that use both. The better option depends on when the offer shows up and how easy it feels for the customer to accept it. In this guide, I will break down what an order bump and upsell are, share a few practical examples, and explain the real difference between the two. What is an order bump? It is a small extra offer shown when a customer is close to completing a purchase. Order bumps are a quick add-on that appears near checkout and gives the buyer a chance to include one more related item before paying. It works best right before payment, because that is the moment when the customer has already decided to buy. For new stores, I can guarantee this is one of the easiest ways to increase AOV. Order bump examples for Shopify stores Order bump examples can be best seen in electronics stores, for example, if someone is buying a phone, offering a phone case near checkout makes sense. If they are buying a gift item, a wrap is an easy add-on. In apparel, stain protection can feel like a useful add-on. For fragile items, shipping protection is another common order bump because it matches the buyer’s concern right before payment. These offers work because they do not ask the customer to rethink the whole purchase. What makes an order bump effective? Keeps the decision simple for the customer Has a low price compared to the main purchase Feels closely related to the product already in the cart Does not create extra decision fatigue Apps to add order bump in your store SellMore Post Purchase Upsell is one option that supports checkout upsells, one-click add-ons, bundles, and post-purchase offers, which makes it useful for stores that want to test different ways to lift AOV. What I like here is that it is not limited to just one placement. SellMore can show offers on checkout, post-purchase, thank you, and order status pages. The best part is that it also includes analytics, which helps when I want to see which offers are actually working instead of guessing. What is an upsell? An upsell is an offer that encourages a customer to choose a better, bigger, or more valuable version of the product. Instead of adding a small extra item, an upsell tries to increase the value of the main purchase itself. Upsells can appear at different stages of the buying journey. I've seen them work on the product page, cart, checkout, and the thank-you page. What's the difference between upsells at? Cart, checkout, or thank you page. Check out which upsell placement is best for your store. Common upsell examples in Shopify Someone viewing a standard smartphone can be offered a premium version with added features. A single product can be turned into a bundle upgrade with related items included. Some stores also use BOGO offers to increase quantity. Post-purchase one-click add-ons are another strong example, because they let the customer accept an extra offer without going through the full checkout again. Best apps to add upsells in your store When I want to add upsells before checkout, iCart Cart Drawer Cart Upsell is one of the apps I would look at. It supports cart upsells, checkout upsells, product page upsells, one-click add-ons, bundles, and product recommendations. What makes it useful for upsell testing is the flexibility around placement and offer type. Order bump vs upsell: Key differences Difference #1: Timing in the buying journey The biggest difference in order bump vs upsell starts with timing. An order bump usually appears right before the customer completes checkout. An upsell can appear earlier or later in the journey. Upsells work best in the cart, but you can also add them at the product page, at checkout, and after the purchase. That gives more flexibility, but it also changes how the customer responds to the offer. Difference #2: Offer size and price point Order bumps are small and low-risk. They are meant to feel like a light add-on that does not make the customer pause. Upsells are bigger-value offers compared to the main item. They can involve a premium version, a larger pack, a bundle, or a higher-spend option. Difference #3: Goal of the offer The goal of an order bump is to add one extra item to the order without changing the main purchase too much. The goal of an upsell is to try to increase the value of the main purchase itself. Instead of adding a side item, it pushes the customer toward a better or bigger buying decision. Difference #4: Impact on conversions Order bumps do not work if the offer feels too expensive, unrelated, or distracting. It can slow the checkout flow and hurt the buying experience. Upsells can also create friction if they appear at the wrong moment. Test upsells at different parts of the customer buying process and stick to the one that gives you the most conversions. Difference #5: Best-fit products Order bumps are best for products like accessories, simple add-ons, warranties, gift wrap, or protection offers. These are items that support the main purchase without changing it too much. Upsells fit products where the customer can move to a better version. That includes premium products, bundles, larger quantities, and upgraded options. Order bump vs upsell: Overview DifferenceOrder BumpUpsellTiming Appears right before the customer completes checkoutCan appear earlier or later in the journey, including the product page, cart, checkout, and after purchaseOffer size and price pointSmall and low-risk add-ons like complementary products or warrantiesA bigger-value offer, such as a premium version or bundlesGoalAdds one extra item to the order without changing the main purchase.Increases the value of the main purchase by pushing a better or bigger optionImpact on conversionsWorks only when the offer feels relevant, affordable, and easy to accept.Needs the right placement and testing, because the wrong moment can reduce conversionsBest-fit productsAccessories, simple add-ons, warranties, gift wrap, and protection offersPremium products, bundles, larger quantities, and upgraded versions So, in the end, which one is better? For new Shopify stores, I think an order bump is often easier to test first. It is simpler to set up, easier for customers to understand, and usually carries less risk. I would choose upsell if your store has more product data and clearer buying patterns. When I know which products pair well and where shoppers are willing to spend more, I can build upsells that feel much more natural and effective. My simple advice here is to install apps and test both options and pick which one suits your brand. FAQs 1. What is an order bump? An order bump is a small, relevant add-on shown at checkout, right before the customer pays. It's a low-friction way to increase AOV because the shopper can add it quickly without rethinking the main purchase. 2. What is the difference between an order bump vs upsell? The main difference is the role each offers. An order bump adds a small extra to the order, while an upsell pushes the customer toward a better, bigger, or higher-value version of what they already plan to buy. 3. What is the best upsell app for Shopify? If I want flexible upsell placement before checkout, iCart Cart Drawer Cart Upsell is a great option. For post-purchase upsells, I would go with SellMore. 4. Which app is the best to add an order bump to your Shopify store? If your goal is to add order bumps through checkout and post-purchase flows, I would look at SellMore Post Purchase Upsell. It supports checkout offers like order bumps and checkout upsells for Shopify Plus, along with post-purchase, thank you page, and order status page offers.

7 Min • 16 April 2026

Best Payment Method for Shopify Merchants: Top Picks from a Shopify Expert

Shopify Payments is the best payment method for Shopify in my experience. The reason for it being zero transaction fee. Other proven options merchants use include Apple Pay, PayPal, and Shop Pay. Since the start of 2026, Shopify store owners have been asking me which is the best payment method for Shopify. The answer to this is a bit complicated. I have used all payment methods, and I will say the right setup depends on the country you sell in, your customers, and how easy your checkout is for a first-time buyer. In this guide, I will show you the best payment method for Shopify that I have tried and tested. I will also explain how to choose the best one for your store. Best payment method for Shopify merchants (From an expert) 1. Shopify Payments For most beginners, Shopify Payments is the best place to start. Why I recommend it: It is built into Shopify It supports major payment methods It removes extra setup work It keeps your payment management centralized In my experience, it is the simplest way to accept payments online. If you are a new Shopify store, this should be your first choice. Before comparing fees or advanced features, check whether your business is in one of the supported Shopify Payments countries. If your country is not supported, change your payment option in Shopify right away. 2. Shop Pay If Shopify Payments is your base, Shop Pay is what I would add next. Shop Pay is part of Shopify Payments and helps create a faster checkout experience. Why it matters: It speeds up checkout It saves customer details for future purchases It works well for repeat buyers It helps reduce friction on mobile I especially like it for stores that get traffic from: Instagram TikTok email campaigns returning customers 3. PayPal PayPal still matters, especially for new stores that need trust. Shopify supports PayPal integrations, including PayPal Express Checkout. For a new store, this trust signal can make a real difference. Why would I choose PayPal? Shoppers instantly recognise this, which helps to build trust. Some customers prefer paying through their PayPal balance or linked account 4. Apple Pay and Google Pay Digital wallets are the best payment method for Shopify if your traffic is mostly mobile. Why they help: They make checkout faster They feel natural on phones They support quick, low-friction purchases Digital wallets are the best payment options in Shopify if your core audience comes from mobile. Want to add Apple Pay to Shopify? Here's a simple step-by-step guide to add Apple Pay to Shopify in 2026. 5. Local payment methods The best Shopify payment provider is not always the biggest brand. Sometimes it is the one your local audience already uses and trusts. Local payment methods are region-specific options that match customer preferences in different markets. Research which local payment methods are supported where your customers are. For example, I used a payment method called iDEAL for a store whose customers were in the Netherlands. This especially matters if you sell internationally. A quick note once the payment is set up… Once the payment setup is working, I look at the cart drawer of the store. That is where I use Shopify upsell apps like iCart Cart Drawer Cart Upsell. The app focuses on pre-purchase features like: Cross-sells Cart upsells Product bundles Progress bars Cart drawer customization So while your payment setup helps customers complete the order, iCart can help raise cart value before checkout happens. Additional choices for Shopify payment providers 1. Shop Pay Installments and BNPL If you sell higher-priced products like luxury goods or high-end jewelry, payment flexibility can help increase conversions. Here’s what I always consider when working with Shopify jewelry stores. It lowers the upfront cost for shoppers It can help with bigger purchases Shop Pay Installments can improve conversion rates and AOV, and it is available to eligible stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom when Shopify Payments and Shop Pay are active. 2. Manual payments Although not widely used, manual payments still have a place, but I see them as a niche option. Shopify supports custom manual payment methods, and orders using these methods stay marked as unpaid until you confirm payment. It also does not carry third-party transaction fees, which is a plus in my book. I always suggest manual payments for store owners in cases like: Custom orders Local orders Bank transfer setups Specific regional business needs 3. Adyen Adyen is an advanced payment gateway that supports global payments, including cards, bank transfers, and local payment methods. If you plan to scale your Shopify store globally, I would consider Adyen. It offers seamless integration with Shopify and supports multiple local payment methods to cater to your international customers. 4. Razorpay Razorpay is a great payment solution for Shopify merchants, especially in Asian countries. It supports both domestic and international payments and integrates well with Shopify. If you're operating in Asia, Razorpay is a strong contender as it offers a wide variety of local payment options, making it easier to cater to your audience’s preferences. Key factors I consider before selecting the best Shopify payment provider 1. Country availability This comes first. Always. For example, if Shopify Payments is not available in your country, you will need a different Shopify payment provider. 2. Transaction fees and extra charges Look at the full cost, not just the basic processing fee. Third-party transaction fees apply to third-party and alternate gateways. 3. Customer trust The best payment gateway for Shopify are those that customers trust the most. When you are a new Shopify store, you most definitely need trust signals. Ask yourself the following questions: Will my customer recognize this option? Will it feel safe for them? That is why I usually choose Shopify Payments, Shop Pay, PayPal, and trusted wallets. This helps customers complete their checkout without hesitation. 4. Mobile checkout experience If most of your traffic comes from mobile, checkout speed matters even more. Use accelerated checkouts, accelerated checkout buttons, and digital wallets for your mobile users. 6. Average order value If your store has higher AOV or high ticket items, you should consider flexible payments. Installments are a great payment option in Shopify for expensive items. If your products are low-ticket impulse buys, speed and trust matter more. My final take on the best payment method for Shopify If I were setting up a new store in 2026, I would keep it simple: Start with Shopify Payments if your country is supported Add Shop Pay for speed Keep PayPal for trust Add wallets and local methods based on your audience Use installments only when your order value makes sense for it The best payment gateway for Shopify is the one that fits your market, feels easy to use, and helps a first-time buyer complete checkout without second thoughts. FAQs 1. How to set up Shopify Payments? Go to Settings → Payments in your Shopify admin and activate Shopify Payments. Enter your business details, banking information, and complete verification. 2. How to add a payment method on Shopify? In your Shopify admin, go to Settings → Payments and choose from available options like PayPal, manual payments, or third-party providers. Enable the method you want, connect your account, and save the settings. 3. Why can’t my Shopify store accept payment gateways? This usually happens if Shopify Payments is not supported in your country or your account verification is incomplete. 4. How does Shopify process payments? When a customer places an order, Shopify sends the payment details to your selected provider for verification. If the payment is approved, the order is confirmed, and the funds are transferred to your account based on the payout schedule. 5. Which is the best payment method for Shopify merchants? Shopify Payments, PayPal, Apple Pay & Google Pay, Shop Pay, and local payment methods are some of my top choices for payment methods in Shopify